Every Dehradun parent has been there: a birthday party on Sunday, a gift to buy on Saturday evening, and no clear idea where to go. Should you head to a big branded store on Rajpur Road, or dive into Paltan Bazaar where the same toy might cost a lot less?
The honest answer is: it depends on what you’re buying. Here’s our guide to the best toy shops in Dehradun, sorted by what each one is good for, with tips on prices, safety and return gifts.
Best toy shops in Dehradun at a glance
| Shop / market | Area | Best for | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamleys | Rajpur Road, Kishanpur | Branded toys, LEGO, big birthday gifts | Premium |
| FirstCry store | Rajpur Road, opposite Astley Hall | Baby and toddler toys, learning toys | Mid to premium |
| Paltan Bazaar toy shops | Paltan Bazaar | Budget toys, return gifts, festival shopping | Budget |
| Moti Bazar and Karanpur gift shops | Moti Bazar, Karanpur | Gift sets, soft toys, quick party gifts | Budget to mid |
| Hobby Centre | Clement Town | Hobby kits, models and craft | Mid |
| Malls on Rajpur Road and Sahastradhara Road | Rajpur Road, IT Park | A day out with kids plus shopping | Mid to premium |
1. Hamleys, Rajpur Road
If your child has a very specific toy on their list, start here. Hamleys is the big international toy brand, and its Dehradun store on Rajpur Road, Kishanpur is the closest thing the city has to a proper toy department store.
What you’ll find: LEGO, Hot Wheels, Barbie, board games, remote-control cars, soft toys, science kits and plenty of Hamleys’ own-brand toys. Hamleys stores are known for staff demoing toys on the floor, which kids love.
Good to know: prices are on the higher side, and you’ll pay close to MRP. Watch out for app or in-store offers around Diwali, Christmas and the end-of-season sales. Online listings show it open from about 11 am to 10 pm, but confirm before you go.
Best for: big birthday gifts, branded toys and kids aged 5 and up who know exactly what they want.
2. FirstCry store, Rajpur Road
For babies and toddlers, the FirstCry store on Rajpur Road (opposite Astley Hall, near Congress Bhawan) is very handy. It’s mainly a baby and kids’ store, so toys sit alongside clothes, feeding items and baby gear.
What you’ll find: soft toys, stacking and sorting toys, musical toys, ride-ons, puzzles and early learning toys, mostly with clear age labels.
Good to know: prices are usually similar to the FirstCry app, and offers on the app may also work in-store. Ask at the counter.
Best for: a baby shower gift, a first birthday, or anything for under-3s.
3. Paltan Bazaar: the budget option
Paltan Bazaar is where a lot of Dehradun families actually shop for toys. Small shops along the bazaar and its side lanes sell everything from cheap plastic cars to board games, dolls, kites and festival toys. Listings for shops like Smiles Gift & Toys, Anand Fancy Store and Bombay Toys place them in and around Paltan Bazaar.
What you’ll find: a huge range at much lower prices than branded stores. This is also where you’ll find seasonal stuff: pichkaris before Holi, toy guns and decorations before Diwali, and kites in winter.
Good to know:
- Quality varies a lot from shop to shop and toy to toy. Check the box for the ISI mark (more on that below).
- Bargaining is normal in smaller shops, but don’t expect big discounts on fixed-MRP branded items.
- Go in the morning or early afternoon. Evenings and weekends are crowded, and parking near the Clock Tower is a headache. Read our Paltan Bazaar shopping guide for parking tips.
Best for: return gifts, festival toys and budget shopping.
4. Moti Bazar, Karanpur and neighbourhood gift shops
Dehradun has a lot of gift shops that also stock toys, and they’re great when you just need something quick for a party. Online listings show gift and toy shops around Moti Bazar, Karanpur (near DAV College), Dharampur and Rajpur Road, along with stores like Archies Gallery in Karanpur.
What you’ll find: soft toys, gift sets, puzzles, stationery kits and party supplies, all in one place. Many will gift-wrap for free.
Best for: last-minute birthday gifts and teddy bears.
5. Hobby Centre, Clement Town
Kids who are into building and making things get bored quickly in a regular toy shop. A hobby store like Hobby Centre in the Clement Town area is a better bet for model kits, craft supplies and DIY sets.
Best for: school-age kids who like making things, and gifts that aren’t just another plastic toy.
6. Malls: toys plus a day out
If you’d like to make an outing of it, Dehradun’s malls are a good choice. Pacific Mall, Times Square and Sadhna Downtown on Rajpur Road, Parsvnath Eleganza near Race Course, and DLF Mall at IT Park on Sahastradhara Road all have some combination of kids’ stores, gaming zones and food courts.
Good to know: individual toy stores in malls open and close, so check the mall’s store directory before you go. The gaming zones are usually the bigger draw for kids anyway.
Best for: a rainy afternoon when you want to buy a gift and let the kids burn some energy.
Buying return gifts in Dehradun
Return gifts are where you can save the most money. A few tips:
- Buy in bulk from Paltan Bazaar. Many shops will give you a better rate if you’re buying 20 or 30 pieces. Ask for a “return gift” price.
- Go for useful items. Colouring sets, small puzzles, stationery kits and water bottles get used. Tiny plastic toys often don’t.
- Shop at least a week before the party. Popular items can sell out, especially in the wedding and festival season.
- Mix and match. A small toy plus a chocolate in a paper bag looks nicer than one bigger item.
How to buy safe toys
This is the part many people skip, but it matters.
- Look for the ISI mark. In India, toys sold for children must meet BIS safety standards and carry the ISI mark under the Toys Quality Control Order. If a toy has no ISI mark at all, think twice.
- Check the age label. Toys marked 3+ often have small parts that are a choking risk for babies.
- Check batteries. Button batteries are dangerous if swallowed. Make sure the battery cover is screwed shut.
- Smell and feel. A strong chemical smell, sharp edges or paint that flakes off easily are red flags.
- Keep the bill. Branded stores usually have an exchange policy, but you’ll need the receipt and often the original packaging.
Best time to buy toys in Dehradun
- Diwali and Christmas: the biggest offers at branded stores and the widest range in the bazaars. See our Diwali shopping guide for Dehradun.
- End-of-season sales: look out for sales at branded stores, often in January and July.
- Children’s Day (14 November): some stores run special offers.
- Avoid the weekend before a festival if you can. Shops are packed and parking is tough.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the biggest toy shop in Dehradun?
Hamleys on Rajpur Road is one of the biggest branded toy stores in Dehradun, with a wide range of international and Indian toy brands.
Where can I buy cheap toys in Dehradun?
Paltan Bazaar has many small toy and gift shops with budget prices, and it’s the best place in the city for return gifts.
Is there a wholesale toy market in Dehradun?
Dehradun doesn’t have a big dedicated wholesale toy market like Delhi’s Sadar Bazaar, but many shops in Paltan Bazaar sell in bulk at lower rates if you ask.
Where can I buy baby toys in Dehradun?
The FirstCry store on Rajpur Road is a good option for baby and toddler toys, along with Hamleys and gift shops around the city.
What should I check before buying toys for kids?
Check for the ISI mark, the age label, secure battery covers, and avoid toys with sharp edges, loose small parts or a strong chemical smell.
Last updated: October 2026. Know a great toy shop we’ve missed? Tell us in the comments and we’ll check it out.
